Device for casting a fishing line

ABSTRACT

A device for casting a fishing line that includes a cylindrical spool and handle unit with a longitudinal passage therethrough and an elastic balloon anchored to this unit. A fishing line wound on the spool is stripped from the spool when the elastic balloon containing a weighted end of the fishing line is stretched and released, hurling this weighted end out through the passage on the unit.

United States Patent Zenick 1 Feb. 15, 1972 [54] DEVICE FOR CASTING AFISHING 2,948,078 8/1960 Miotke ..43/l9 LINE 3,208,586 9/1965 Wilson..242/85.1 X [72] Inventor: Raymond G. Zenick, 912 Briarwood Lane,FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Glendale Cahf' 91206 1,034,519 4/1953France ..124/17 [22] Filed: Aug. 25, 1969 776,927 6/1957 Great Britain..242/125.2 [211 App]' 852748 Primary Examiner-Billy S. TaylorAttorney-Larry N. Barger [52] U.S. Cl. ..43/l9, 242/842 J [51] Int. Cl...A01k 91/02 [57] ABSTRACT [58] "ga ggfigflgf sgf ffi'fifi A device forcasting a fishing line that includes a cylindrical spool and handle unitwith a longitudinal passage therethrough and an elastic balloon anchoredto this unit. A [56] References cued fishing line wound on the spool isstripped from the spool UNITED STATES PATENTS when the elastic ballooncontaining a weighted end of the fishing line is stretched and released,hurling this weighted end 394,996 l2/ 1 888 Pratt 242/ 125.3 out throughthe passage on the unit 2,735,417 2/1956 Denekar ..l24/20 2,808,04310/1957 Lombard ..43/19 30 Claims, 14 Drawing figures I'll PATENTEDFEB15 m2 3.6M 85 saw 1 or 4 INVENTOR. P4 mama G. ZEN/CK ATTOQNE VPATENTEUFEB 15 I972 3.641.695

SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR. PA rMOND Q Z E/V/CK PATENTEDFEB 15 m2 sum 3 OF 4INVENTOR.

6. ZEN/CK 7/ I A VMO ND O? ATZ ZVEV PATENTEHFEB 15 m2 SHEET Q 0F 4 IfVIA/TOR Ewe/v0 G ZEN/CK ATTUE/VEY DEVICE FOR CASTING A FISHING LINE Thisinvention relates to a device adapted to cast a fishing line to adesired location in a lake, stream or the like. The device has anelastic balloon anchored to a manipulatable unit that includes a spoolfor the fishing line and a handle, By holding the handle in one hand andthen stretching and releasing the elastic balloon, a person can causethe fishing line to uncoil from the spool and be cast out to the desiredlocation.

The conventional way to cast out a fishing line is with a long castingrod of 4 to 8 feet in length with a reel attached to the rod. The rod isswung through an arc to build up centrifugal force at the forward tip ofthe rod. At the precise moment the reel is released causing the weightedfishing line to strip ofi the reel and be cast out through the forwardtip of the rod.

As anyone knows who has gone fishing, this rod and reel method hascertain disadvantagesv First, the long rod of 4 to 8 feet wastroublesome to store and transport. Secondly, the long rod often gotcaught in trees, brush, and other foliage surrounding lakes and streams.Also, many fishermen have been slapped, poked, and hit with the fishingrod of another fisherman, particularly when in the close confines ofaboat. Finally, it takes a certain amount of expertise to operate a rodand reel because the forward tip of the rod, which controls thedirection and distance in which the line is cast, is spaced several feetfrom the handle where the rod is grasped.

It has been proposed to eliminate the long casting rod and have ahand-held spool that operates like a spinning reel. The idea here is totake a portion ofa weighted line and swing it in a circle to build upcentrifugal force and then let go of the line at the proper time so theline is flung out into the river or stream. This method of casting afishing line closely resembles tossing a lariat rope, and as with therod and reel" method requires a great deal of skill. Also, when swingingthe weighted fishing line in a circle, a large open space is required orit is likely that the line will get caught in the surrounding foliage.

l have overcome the disadvantages of the long rod of the rod and reel"devices and also the large open spaces required by the lariat"-typecasting devices. Also, my invention requires much less skill to operatethan either ofthe two previously mentioned devices for casting a fishingline. People who have avoided fishing because they did not know how touse a rod and reel can readily master the casting device of myinventron.

The device of my invention has a manipulatable unit comprising a spoolfor the fishing line and joined to this spool is a handle that is heldin one hand by the fisherman. There is an elastic means, such as ahollow tubular balloon with stretchable sidewalls anchored to the unit.By stretching and releasing the balloon with his other hand, thefisherman can hurl a weighted fishing line out through a commonlongitudinal passage in the handle and spool. The direction the line iscast is controlled by pointing the manipulatable unit in this particulardirection. The distance the line travels in this direction is controlledby how far the elastic balloon is stretched before it is released.

Perhaps this invention can be better understood with reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of a first embodiment of my inventron;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of my inventionshowing fishing line retained on its spool;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a retaining band to hold fishing lineon the spool;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of my inventionshowing the elastic means being pulled and released to cast out thefishing line;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the inventionsimilar to FIG. 4 prior to coiling fishing line on the spool;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment similar to FIG. 4prior to coiling fishing line on the spool, and showing a slightlydifi'erent configuration of the cup-shaped balloon; and

FIG. I4 is a sectional view of the cup-shaped balloon of FIG. 13 showingthe shape in which it is molded.

Referring in detail to these drawings, FIGS. 1-4 shows a firstembodiment of my invention. Here, the device for casting a fishing lineincludes a manipulatable unit I with a spool 2 and a handle 3 connectedto the spool at the handle's upper end. The spool 2 has a pair oflongitudinally spaced external flanges 4 and 5 to retain a fishing linewhen wound on the spool. At a lower end of the handle 3 is an externalballoon retaining flange 6 which also helps to keep the manipulatableunit from sliding out of a person's hand when grasped by handle 3.

As best shown in FIG. 4, an elastic hollow tubular balloon 7 is anchoredto the balloon retaining flange 6 by means of an internal groovestructure 8 connected to stretchable sidewalls of the balloon. In thisfigure, the balloon is shown as cupshaped with a pull tab 9 integralwith the balloon.

Preferably, pull tab 9 has a solid cross section so that a hook or baitwill not enter the pull tab and be squeezed between a thumb andforefinger when using the device. Shallow balloons such as shown in FIG.4 can be compression molded to provide a solid pull tab 9.

When the device is used to cast out a fishing line, a fishing line 10 iswound on spool 2 between flanges 4 and 5. One end of the line has aweight means, designated as 11, attached thereto. This weight means isshown as a bait covered hook, but could be a lure, lead weight, etc. Touse the device of FIG. 4, a fisherman grasps the handle between flanges5 and 6 and the external surface is preferably roughened by ribs orgrooves shown at 12 to provide him with a firm grip. He then aims thedevice in the direction he wants to cast the line. Next, he pulls backon tab 9 and releases it. The balloon 7 being elastic snaps back to itsoriginal dimension and hurls the weighted line 10 out of the internalinterconnecting passages 13 and 14 of the handle and spool, whichpassages lie along the common longitudinal axis of the manipulatableunit. To reel in the line the fisherman simply winds the line around thespool.

Turning now to the second embodiment of my invention shown in FIGS. 5-8,a device is shown that casts a fishing line in essentially the samemanner as the first embodiment. However, here the structure of themanipulatable unit and the elastic balloon are different. Themanipulatable unit 16 has an external balloon retaining flange 17 at thespool end of the unit. Flange l7 and flange 18 form a groove structuretherebetween to confine a bead 19 at a mouth 20 of an elongated tubularballoon 21 with stretchable sidewalls. As shown best in FIG. 8, theballoon 21 extends completely through the interconnecting passages 22and 23 of the handle and spool, and the balloon has a tab 24 thatprotrudes from a lower end of the unit. Tab 24 is shown as being hollowbecause long thin balloons are usually made by dipping a mandrel forminto latex or plastisol, and this gives a uniform wall thickness to theballoon which is subsequently stripped from the mandrel. Even though tab24 is hollow, it has a transverse internal dimension that issufficiently smaller than weight means 25 to keep this weight means fromentering into the pull tab.

FIG. 9 shows the device of FIGS. 14 in perspective view as it might bestored in a fishing tackle box. Fishing line is wound on the spool andis held on the spool by a thermoplastic or metal C-shaped band 26 thatcan expand and snap onto the spool between its flanges 4 and 5. Thiskeeps the fishing line from unwinding prior to using the device. In FIG.10, the C- shaped band 26 is shown after it has been removed from theunit. Finally, in FIG. 11, the device is shown as being aimed with theballoon stretched and then released to hurl out the weighted fishingline to the desired location in the lake, river or stream.

A third embodiment of my invention is shown in H6. 12. Here, themanipulatable unit is molded in two pieces to make the molding processsimpler, because a cam-actuated mold is not needed. As shown in H6. 12,the manipulatable unit has a shoulder 27 at the lower edge of its spool.Thus, a lower flange 28 can be separately molded and telescoped over thehandle from a bottom end of the handle 29 and secured in place againstshoulder 27 either by friction, adhesive or a fusion joint to provideproper spacing between the flanges of the spool. Over a major portion ofthe handles outer surface is stretched a cup-shaped balloon 30, whichballoon can be conveniently formed by blow molding. The balloon 30 canbe held firmly on the handle by friction between the balloon and handlewhich is greatly increased when the fisherman grasps the outside of theballoon-covered handle when he uses the device to cast a fishing line.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the device with a slightly modifiedcup-shaped balloon which is more elongated than the cup-shaped balloonof FIG. 4. The balloon 31 here is conveniently compression moldedwithout undercuts, as shown in solid line in FIG. 14. Then by evertingthe balloon it assumes the shape shown in dotted line and has anundercut internal lip 32 forming a groove structure that fits onto thehandles retention flange 33.

Preferably, the device shown in both the first and second embodimentshas a specific gravity less than 1.0 so the device will float ifaccidentally dropped in water. I have found that the manipulatable unitcan be economically molded as a onepiece unit from polypropylenethermoplastic material with an integrally joined spool and handle or itcan be molded in two pieces, as shown in FIG. 12. Polypropylene, havinga specific gravity of 0.91, is an excellent material for the unit as itis tough and durable and will float if dropped in water.

The balloons of the several embodiments can be of rubber, either naturalor synthetic, but are preferably of a highly elastic thermoelasticmaterial made by Shell Chemical Company, marketed under the name KratonNo. 2104, which can be blow molded and processed in machinery forplastics. Also, Kraton No. 2104 is sufficiently transparent so objectssuch as a weight or lure inside the balloon can be visibly detected.

In the foregoing specification, l have used specific examples todescribe my invention, However, those persons skilled in the art willunderstand how to make certain modifications to the examples withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and handle connected tosaid spool; and an elastic cup-shaped balloon anchored to the unit andhaving stretchable sidewalls of a size and dimension to surround andphysically confine a fishing lure or' the like and provide directionalguidance for the lure or the like when the balloon is longitudinallystretched and released.

2, A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim '1,

wherein the device has a specific gravity less than 1.0, so said devicewill float if accidentally dropped in water.

3. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe spool and handle are both of thermoplastic material and areintegrally joined, forming a one-piece manipulatable unit.

4. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 3, whereinthe spool and handle are of polypropylene.

5. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a hollow spool with alongitudinal passage therethrough; a length of fishing line wound onsaid spool; weight means attached to said fishing line; and an elasticcup-shaped balloon anchored to the device and having stretchablesidewalls of a size and dimension to surround and physically confine theweight means and provide directional guidance for the weight means whenthe balloon is longitudinally stretched and released,

6. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 5, whereinthe device includes a hollow handle having a longitudinal passagecommunicating with the spool passage and the weight means is adapted tobe hurled through both the handle and spool passages when casting outthe fishing line.

7. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 5. whereinthe spool includes a pair of spaced apart external flanges for confiningthe fishing line.

8. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a hollow spool with alongitudinal passage therethrough; a length of fishing line wound onsaid spool; weight means attached to said fishing line; and a hollowtubular elastic balloon having a lip surrounding an open mouth at oneend of the balloon. said lip of the balloon being anchored to the spool,which balloon is adapted to receive the weight means when fed into thespool passage and upon stretching and releasing the balloon the weightmeans can be hurled out of the spool passage to cast out the fishingline.

9. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 8, whereinthe balloon lip has an annular bead thereon,

10. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 9, whereinthe spool has an annular groove structure into which the balloonsannular bead is anchored.

11. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 8, whereinthe elastic balloon is of rubber.

12. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 8, whereinthe balioon has an integral pull tab at an end of the balloon oppositefrom its mouth.

13. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 12,wherein the pull tab is hollow but has a smaller internal transversedimension than remaining portions of the balloon to keep the weightmeans from entering the pull tab.

14. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected tosaid spool, said unit having a passage extending through both the handleand spool along the unit's longitudinal axis; and an elastic cup-shapedballoon anchored to the unit and having stretchable sidewalls of a sizeand dimension to surround and physically confine a fishing lure or thelike and provide directional guidance to the lure or the like when theballoon is longitudinally stretched and released.

15. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the handle has an upper end which is connected to said spool andhas a lower end with a retention flange adjacent this lower end to whichthe elastic means is attached.

16. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected tosaid spool, said unit having a passage extending through both the handleand spool along the units longitudinal axis, said handle having an upperend which is connected to the spool and having a lower end with anexternal retention flange adjacent this lower end; and an elasticcup-shaped balloon with internal retaining means engaging said retentionflange, whereby the elastic bailoons can be stretched and released toprovide a casting mechanism that operates through the longitudinalpassage of the unit.

17. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 16,wherein the cup-shaped balloon is in an everted condition from itsnatural molded condition when so attached to the retention flange of thehandle.

18. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 16,wherein the cup-shaped balloon has an integral pull tab.

19. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 18,wherein the pull tab has a solid cross section to prevent any weightmeans from entering said pull tab.

20. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected tosaid spool, said unit having a passage extending through both the handleand spool along the unit's longitudinal axis; an elastic cup-shapedballoon telescoped over a major portion of the handles external surface,whereby additional frictional engagement between the balloon and thehandle is provided when a fisherman grasps the balloon covered handle ashe stretches and releases the balloon to provide a casting mechanismthat operates through the longitudinal passage in the unit.

21. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the handle has an upper end to which the spool is connected,said unit having a retention flange adjacent the spool to which theelastic means is attached.

22. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected tosaid spool, said unit having a passage extending through both the handleand spool along the units longitudinal axis, said handle having an upperend to which the spool is connected, said unit having a retention flangeadjacent the spool; and an elastic hollow tubular balloon fitting withinthe unit's passage, which balloon has a lip surrounding an open mouth atone end of the balloon, said lip of the balloon being held to the unitby said retention flange adjacent the spool.

23. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 22,wherein the balloon lip has an annular bead thereon.

24. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 22,wherein the balloon has an integral pull tab at an end opposite from itsmouth.

25. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the spool includes a pair of spaced apart external flanges; anda length of fishing line is wound on the spool between these flanges.

26. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 25,wherein the unit has an external shoulder and one of the spools flangesis separately formed and secured to the unit against said shoulder toprovide proper spacing between the spools flanges.

27. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the device has a specific gravity less than l.0, so the devicewill float if accidentally dropped in water.

28. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the handle has a roughened external surface to provide firmgripping control when held in the palm of a hand.

29. A devicefor casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14, whereinthe cup-shaped balloon is sufficiently transparent in normal use soobjects inside the balloon can be visually detected.

30. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a hollow spool witha passage therethrough; a pair of spaced apart external flanges forminga portion of the spool; a handle with an upper end integrally joined tothe spool and the handle also having a passage therethrough, thepassages in the spool and handle having a common longitudinal axis; alength of fishing line wound on the spool between the flanges; weightmeans attached to said fishing line; a retention flange at a lower endof the handle; a cup-shaped hollow tubular elastic balloon having aninternal retaining means engaging said external flange to hold saidballoon to said handle; a pull tab on the balloon, which balloon isadapted to receive the weight means when fed through the interconnectingpassages of the spool and handle, and upon stretching and releasing theelastic balloon the weight means can be hurled out of theinterconnecting passages ofthe unit to cast out the fishing line.

1. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and handle connected tosaid spool; and an elastic cup-shaped balloon anchored to the unit andhaving stretchable sidewalls of a size and dimension to surround andphysically confine a fishing lure or the like and provide directionalguidance for the lure or the like when the balloon is longitudinallystretched and released.
 2. A device for casting a fishing line as setforth in claim 1, wherein the device has a specific gravity less than1.0, so said device will float if accidentally dropped in water.
 3. Adevice for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 1, wherein thespool and handle are both of thermoplastic material and are integrallyjoined, forming a one-piece manipulatable unit.
 4. A device for castinga fishing line as set forth in claim 3, wherein the spool and handle areof polypropylene.
 5. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: ahollow spool with a longitudinal passage therethrough; a length offishing line wound on said spool; weight means attached to said fishingline; and an elastic cup-shaped balloon anchored to the device andhaving stretchable sidewalls of a size and dimension to surround andphysically confine the weight means and provide directional guidance forthe weight means when the balloon is longitudinally stretched andreleased.
 6. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim5, wherein the device includes a hollow handle having a longitudinalpassage communicating with the spool passage and the weight means isadapted to be hurled through both the handle and spool passages whencasting out the fishing line.
 7. A device for casting a fishing line asset forth in claim 5, wherein the spool includes a pair of spaced apartexternal flanges for confining the fishing line.
 8. A device for castinga fishing line comprising: a hollow spool with a longitudinal passagetherethrough; a length of fishing line wound on said spool; weight meansattached to said fishing line; and a hollow tubular elastic balloonhaving a lip surrounding an open mouth at one end of the balloon, saidlip of the balloon being anchored to the spool, which balloon is adaptedto receive the weight means when fed into the spool passage and uponstretching and releasing the balloon the weight means can be hurled outof the spool passage to cast out the fishing line.
 9. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 8, wherein the balloon liphas an annular bead thereon.
 10. A device for casting a fishing line asset forth in claim 9, wherein the spool has an annular groove structureinto which the balloon''s annular bead is anchored.
 11. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 8, wherein the elasticballoon is of rubber.
 12. A device for casting a fishing line as setforth in claim 8, wherein the balloon has an integral pull tab at an endof the balloon opposite from its mouth.
 13. A device for casting afishing line as set forth in claim 12, wherein the pull tab is hollowbut has a smaller internal transverse dimension than remaining portionsof the balloon to keep the weight means from entering the pull tab. 14.A device for casting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unitincluding a spool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected tosaid spool, said unit having a passage extending through both the handleand spool along the unit''s longitudinal axis; and an elastic cup-shapedballoon anchored to the unit and having stretchable sidewalls of a sizeand dimension to surround and physically confine a fishing lure or thelike and provide directional guidance to the lure or the like when theballoon is longitudinally stretched and released.
 15. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14, wherein the handle hasan upper end which is connected to said spool and has a lower end with aretention flange adjacent this lower end to which the elastic means isattached.
 16. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: amanipulatable unit including a spool for receiving fishing line and ahandle connected to said spool, said unit having a passage extendingthrough both the handle and spool along the unit''s longitudinal axis,said handle having an upper end which is connected to the spool andhaving a lower end with an external retention flange adjacent this lowerend; and an elastic cup-shaped balloon with internal retaining meansengaging said retention flange, whereby the elastic balloons can bestretched and released to provide a casting mechanism that operatesthrough the longitudinal passage of the unit.
 17. A device for casting afishing line as set forth in claim 16, wherein the cup-shaped balloon isin an everted condition from its natural molded condition when soattached to the retention flange of the handle.
 18. A device for castinga fishing line as set forth in claim 16, wherein the cup-shaped balloonhas an integral pull tab.
 19. A device for casting a fishing line as setforth in claim 18, wherein the pull tab has a solid cross section toprevent any weight means from entering said pull tab.
 20. A device forcasting a fishing line comprising: a manipulatable unit including aspool for receiving fishing line and a handle connected to said spool,said unit having a passage extending through both the handle and spoolalong the unit''s longitudinal axis; an elastic cup-shaped balloontelescoped over a major portion of the handle''s external surface,whereby additional frictional engagement between the balloon and thehandle is provided when a fisherman grasps the balloon covered handle ashe stretches and releases the balloon to provide a casting mechanismthat operates through the longitudinal passage in the unit.
 21. A devicefor casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14, wherein the handlehas an upper end to which the spool is connected, said unit having aretention flange adjacent the spool to which the elastic means isattached.
 22. A device for casting a fishing line comprising: amanipulatable unit including a spool for receiving fishing line and ahandle connected to said spool, said unit having a passage extendingthrough both the handle and spool along the unit''s longitudinal axis,said handle having an upper end to which the spool is connected, saidunit having a retention flange adjacent the spool; and an elastic hollowtubular balloon fitting within the unit''s passage, which balloon has alip surrounding an open mouth at one end of the balloon, said lip of theballoon being held to the unit by said retention flange adjacent thespool.
 23. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 22,wherein the balloon lip has an annular bead thereon.
 24. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 22, wherein the balloon hasan integral pull tab at an end opposite from its mouth.
 25. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14, wherein the spoolincludes a pair of spaced apart external flanges; and a length offishing line is wound on the spool between these flanges.
 26. A devicefor casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 25, wherein the unithas an external shoulder and one of the spool''s flanges is separatelyformed and secured to the unit against said shoulder to provide properspacing between the spool''s flanges.
 27. A device for casting a fishingline as set forth in claim 14, wherein the device has a specific gravityless than 1.0, so the device will float if accidentally dropped inwater.
 28. A device for casting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14,wherein the handle has a roughened exterNal surface to provide firmgripping control when held in the palm of a hand.
 29. A device forcasting a fishing line as set forth in claim 14, wherein the cup-shapedballoon is sufficiently transparent in normal use so objects inside theballoon can be visually detected.
 30. A device for casting a fishingline comprising: a hollow spool with a passage therethrough; a pair ofspaced apart external flanges forming a portion of the spool; a handlewith an upper end integrally joined to the spool and the handle alsohaving a passage therethrough, the passages in the spool and handlehaving a common longitudinal axis; a length of fishing line wound on thespool between the flanges; weight means attached to said fishing line; aretention flange at a lower end of the handle; a cup-shaped hollowtubular elastic balloon having an internal retaining means engaging saidexternal flange to hold said balloon to said handle; a pull tab on theballoon, which balloon is adapted to receive the weight means when fedthrough the interconnecting passages of the spool and handle, and uponstretching and releasing the elastic balloon the weight means can behurled out of the interconnecting passages of the unit to cast out thefishing line.